My experience at Coco Rocha Model Camp this past summer was invaluable, intense and incredible. Attending this four-day intensive was one of the best decisions I have made as a model. For anyone considering going, check out my in-depth and honest write-up below, as well as an overview of what you can expect and tips to help you prepare and get the biggest bang for your buck.
Two subway trains, a bus and blocks of walking in the summer’s heat later, I sighed (er, more like huffed) my relief as I offloaded my hiking backpack onto a nearby chair and my duffle onto the hotel floor in front of me: Evidence of my digital nomad life.
“What’s your name?” the man at check-in asked, glancing up from the list in front of him. There was a calming and approachable presence about him. I later learned this is Coco Rocha’s husband.
Sweaty and breathless, I sputtered my name in response.
After filling out paperwork, I dropped my bags off in my room, cleaned up, then headed back downstairs to meet with Coco.
For those who don’t know who Coco Rocha is, she is an internationally renowned model who has been in the industry for nearly twenty years. She has worked with every major brand, model, photographer and designer of the past two decades. Tyra Banks dubbed her the “Queen of Pose” due to her unique and innovative model posing style. She is also the first model to leverage social media. She began 4-day model intensives 2-3 years ago and has personally trained hundreds of models ranging in experience from novice to expert. Also, as a devout Jehovah’s Witness, she is well-known for her list of modeling non-negotiables. As a trailblazer and advocate, woman of strong principle, and long-time expert in her field, Coco Rocha is well-qualified to educate the next generation of models.
I pulled up a chair at the table across from Coco, and per her request, I showed her my social media. She is a well-balanced combination of kindness and no-nonsense, seasoned professionalism. After about 60 seconds of intently scrolling through my Instagram account to get a feel for my style and the areas I need to focus on or improve, she surprised me by commenting on a post of me as 3-year-old little girl, “I like this one. It helps me see you as a person, not just a model.” She then asked to see the three outfit images I had submitted for her approval a few weeks prior.
In the final weeks leading up to camp, all students are required to choose three unique outfits for a professional photoshoot, take pictures of each, and submit them to Coco directly via her Instagram private message. After reviewing mine, she asked me to bring all three.
After taking a look at my choices that first day, she responded with her decision, just as I predicted, pointing to a vintage denim jumpsuit, “Ah, yep, I remember this one. Let’s do this.” She asked me to pull out my notes app on my phone and she preceded to give me instructions for how she wanted my hair to be done (“Tell them I want your hair as big as humanly possible!”), and the vibe she wanted me to research and “bring” to the shoot (“Think 90s Versace.”).
I was then released to the remaining free time before the group orientation, so I ran out for some last minute items at Target (literally right next door) and to get my nails done a block away. (This is not required, but I used it as a moment of self-care.) When I came back, my roommate, whom I hadn’t met yet, was in the room. This is the one aspect of the whole experience I was a little nervous about. What if she was a total snob, or a self-centered, privileged teenager with perfect, un-aging skin? (I’m just being real.)
I tell you what, Coco’s team had clearly thought about this too; this degree of thoughtfulness being something I would notice throughout the next few days. The CRMC Team operates like a well-oiled machine, and every single one of them is down-to-earth and great at what they do. They even served our food! They are knowledgeable, passionate and fun, and have clearly become more like family to each other over the years of working together. Coco’s husband is also a wealth of information, possessing his own set of personal industry experience, as well as being a manager himself. He and Coco taught all of the classes.
My roommate’s name was Crystal: also a model in her 30s, and anything but a snob or self-centered. She did however have perfect skin. She ended up being one of my favorite parts of the whole experience. I cannot tell you how relieved I was!
The Coco Rocha Model Camp Team does a great job of cultivating a very supportive environment. I gained an extended model family from the forty or so other students as a result. We cheered on and filmed each other every step of the way, learned from each other, and to this day, we are involved in a group chat on Instagram that will never be taken down. I feel so honored to have met this incredible, beautiful and diverse group of women.
Coco is hands-on through every step of the process. She teaches most of the classes, is with us during all meals, and coaches each model individually during their professional photoshoots.
As you can imagine, the hair stylists, makeup artists, and photographers are all top-notch, industry professionals. Remember Coco’s note about my hair? They teased and curled the shit out of my hair into a glorious thing to behold (which I didn’t wash for days because it was so tremendous). During my photoshoot, as Coco does with all models, she personally coached me while I was being photographed. Afterwards, I was whisked back into the hair chair to somehow wrangle my beautiful billowing mass of hair into an up-do for my professional headshot. The headshot portion is not coached by Coco as she continues on to personally coach the next model, but instead this is a one-on-one with one of her incredible photographers (image below).
Dear model reader, this is where I want you to take note. We arrived in the afternoon the first day, had two full days, then left after breakfast the morning of the fourth calendar day, so if we do the math, in actuality we are looking at about a little less than 72 hours, aka 3 days of classes, workshops, on-hand training, and a full professional photoshoot and headshot. It’s a bit like drinking from a firehose; Prepare yourself for a whirlwind experience.
After orientation that first day, you will hit the ground running. The first full day is a combination of posing, emoting and runway workshops (you will be sore the next day!) and informational classes. Day two is your professional photoshoot and a long in-depth class and Q&A with Coco’s husband on all things fashion industry, then dinner and a final Q&A session with Coco (more on that a little later in the post).
Please don’t be put off or intimidated by this. I got your back. Here are a few suggested best practices to help you prepare:
You will not be able to record any of the talks Coco gives, so come prepared with a notebook or something similar that can help you transcribe info quickly. (Laptops will not have a power source to charge during the classes, so don’t count on using these.) Subjects like contracts, agencies, negotiations, social media, branding, industry realities and pitfalls, professional etiquette, preparing for a photoshoot, pose and emoting training, and runway walk technique will all be covered. Do what you can to retain as much as possible.
Are there any particular questions you would like to ask? Make a list beforehand. At check-in, you will have an opportunity to submit questions you would like answered. If submitted questions won’t be covered in one of the classes, Coco and her husband will anonymously answer these in front of the entire class. This is a great way to help ensure you are squeezing every ounce of value out of your time.
You will have to assemble a playlist of 4-5 songs the night before your photoshoot. Though you won’t know the details of your photoshoot until the afternoon you arrive, I suggest preemptively assembling a library in iTunes (or the android equivalent) of 20-30 assorted songs prior to coming. You’re going for tunes that draw out an emotional response in you (ex, empowerment, happiness, sadness, fierceness, relaxation, attitude, etc) and / or that assist you in loosening up and getting “into the zone.” This list is not meant to be exhaustive, but instead more of a starter pack and jumping off point. The goal here is to get you thinking about what moves you, so you’re not having to rack your brain the night before after a long, exhausting day of classes and workshops.
Prepare yourself mentally and emotionally. The following is in no way a reflection of CRMC; this is simply an honest moment in being human. I share in the event this might empower or help anyone reading. Though each student there is at every level of experience and walk of life, you might encounter challenging moments of self-doubt. If you are someone who can be exceptionally hard on yourself, definitely take this part seriously. Consider including self-care moments into your stay, such as masks, meditation, affirmations assembled for this experience, etc. I struggled at times to not only mentally navigate the vast amount of information I was receiving, but to also simultaneously weed-whack my way through an onslaught of negative self-talk. Basically, be mindful of your triggers, and prepare for them however is best for you. Remember you’re there because you deserve to be there.
Lastly, be present. The whole experience will be over before you know it.
At the end of the second full day, the entire group assembled after dinner for a personal Q&A with Coco. It was all fun and games (literally). We asked what it is like to work with certain designers and models, what her beauty routine is (she has none!), how she was discovered (she was an Irish dancer!), how she met her husband, and much more. We also played Two Truths and A Lie! It was a wild thing to lay my head on the pillow that night and realize months of anticipation were ending in the morning. Months later, I still feel a little shell-shocked by it all (which is why it is has taken me so damn long to get this down in a blog post). Much of it is still sinking in, but I sit here typing in gratitude. What an experience to be taught by an industry leader!
The next morning after breakfast and goodbyes, I hoisted my hiking backpack, threw my duffle over my shoulder and walked to the bus stop, wearing my new CRMC sweatshirt and with my teased hair still large and in charge. What a freaking crazy-ass, four-day ride!
My final piece of advice is take time to decompress, process and practice. It’s a lot. Because of the nature of my nomadic travel life, I didn’t have much time to really do this while traversing NYC this past summer. I was already onto the next thing. I suggest snagging an hour with a photographer friend you trust (maybe schedule this before you go!), assemble your song list and without putting any pressure on yourself, practice the posing and emoting techniques you learned. And as always, practice in front of the mirror.
Since leaving, I’ve been often asked if it’s worth the investment to go. Ultimately that decision is up to each individual and their goals. After reading my story, hopefully you feel a bit clearer on the best decision for you, whatever that is. I am personally proud you are even considering going and doing the research to find out what’s right for you. You’re one smart cookie in my book, my super-cool-model-friend.
On that note, what other questions do you have? Ask in the comments below!
Credits to @cocorochamodelcamp and #cocorochamodelcamp, @matthewtylerpriestley, @sophieelgort, @cocorocha, @jamesedwardconran – glam team of @carolynrosecina, @michelmaquillage, @beutybyjuliettev, @jennyalvesartistry, @crystalchoo & @coreyjasoncrysler
Ariell Suzanne 